Fun Fest Holiday Club & Gootopia | Helen Wilson

"It’s important that we don’t underestimate the play of children because it can produce a much more satisfyingly creative adult.”

This episode features Helen Wilson from Fun Fest Holiday Club, a dynamic holiday programme that gives children the freedom to choose their own adventures.

From creative activities to action-packed fun, Fun Fest is all about making school breaks unforgettable.

Helen shares how Fun Fest stands out from other holiday clubs, the importance of providing enriching experiences for children, and some of the most memorable moments along the way. She also dives into the club’s commitment to creating a safe, exciting, and nurturing environment that supports both kids and parents.

But that’s not all—Helen reveals an exciting new venture on the horizon! Gootopia, a slime-filled wonderland, is set to open in May 2025. 

Get ready for a sneak peek into this hands-on, sensory experience that’s bound to be a hit with children and families alike.

Tune in for a fun and inspiring conversation about play, creativity, and the power of engaging activities for kids!

https://fun-fest.co.uk/

https://www.gootopia.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/gootopia/

Helen's Hub

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"This Place, Our Voices" Credits:

Host: Elyssa Germain
Produced By: OneZeroCreative https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/

Transcript

We're joined by Helen from Fun Fest Holiday Club, a local initiative that's bringing joy, creativity and care to children during their school holidays. Fun Fest offers an incredible range of activities, giving unforgettable experiences while providing parents with peace of mind. Helen is here to share the story behind Fun Fest, the magic that happens during the holidays and the impact it's making in our community. Welcome Helen, Good morning. Thank you very much for joining us.

I'm very happy to be here.

So, for a start, can you tell us a bit about the story behind Fun Fest Holiday Club? How did it all begin?

So Fun Fest Holiday Club is actually a franchise. So it was very exciting. It's almost 10 years ago actually that it's been founded by two directors who had children of their own and they had different aged children and there was nowhere that offered a holiday club they could drop off both at the same time. They were very age separate back in the day so they founded Fun Fest. So it's for ages 3 to 12 and it meant that they could drop the children off but because of the way that the club runs, it meant that they could do very different activities and have a very different experience. But it was great for the parents to obviously be able to just go to one place and know their kids were safe and happy. So for myself getting involved and had no idea what a franchise was, I had no plan to join whatsoever. We were mid moving house from Lancashire down to Cheshire, myself and my husband. The house move got delayed and I needed a job for the summer. So I had worked previously in holiday clubs, running them for Euro camp for example. So I just applied for the first job that came up, went in brilliant, got promoted to manager by the end of the interview and had the best summer and the best experience I possibly could. And that's when they said that their original franchisee had pulled out. So therefore, would we like to become a franchisee for them? And after finding out what it was and looking into a bit more detail, by December 2018 we became officially business owners for what's called as the Cheshire west territory. And we started growing our own holiday clubs.

It's funny how these things come around. If your house sale hadn't of been delayed, you might not have been here.

No, absolutely not. I would have had no idea. And again, franchising was never a word that was in our day to day vocabulary either. 

What makes Fun Fest different from other holiday clubs.

So it's very child led and we offer a wealth of different activities so we have Two in the morning, two in the afternoon and the children can choose what they would like to do. So we make the programme very different and inviting. We get feedback from the children themselves. What do you like to do? What's their interests? And there's holiday clubs out there that are specialised. Maybe the football, sports, tennis or anything like that. And every holiday club has its place for all the children. And this is just something where we give a taster of a bit of everything at our clubs. So it gives that variety, it gives a safety net of knowing an activity or it gives them a safe place where they can try something new.

So is it just 3 to 12 year olds that are your primary audience?

Yes, so we're early years, OFSTED, registered. So we can take that three and four year old, which not everybody does in the local area. But we're very fortunate to have staff that are qualified to help support us do this. and what we find with our parents we on feedback, we do the extended hour, 7:30 till 6cl. So it gives parents the opportunity, whether they're working from home or they are working away, it gives them that chance to know that their kids are okay within that extended time.

You mentioned there, that the children choose what they can do. What sort of activities are most popular with your children?

Oh, it really depends who comes in every day. One holiday it might be a really popular activity, the next holiday nobody books, you just never know. So we always try and bring fresh ideas coming in each year as well. So we have anything from Harry Potter I'm a kid, get me out of here to the good old crafty creations, creative corks. we also work very closely with low suppliers to bring in that extra energy. So we work with for example hula, Hula fun who do drama classes, they do hula sports sessions, they do circus skills for us, local yoga, magic animals as well. So we really have a mixed bag, just depend on what the trends and what the kids feedback to us that they love to do. So if it's popular we'll put it on every holiday. But we do the activity programme, we try and make it that the sessions aren't the same as the previous holiday. So it gives it a little bit of a break in variety too. We offer over 80 activities so it just really depends on how bookings are and what ages are quite popular to come in. So if we know that we're getting more older children as opposed to younger children, then we try and make sure that the activities are more relevant to that age range. As well.

Gosh, that sounds really exciting. Can I swap my age round? Even ever swap my age round. I still wouldn't be allowed to come.

We have been asked many times for fun adults. It's on my to do list but we're not quite there yet.

Do you have a favourite activity?

It's really hard because it changes and it just. Again, it depends because the children get very involved at our clubs and we found that they really let their imagination go. So where puppet making could be a bit. And we're just going in and making puppets. A lot of our children then create roleplay stories and it can go on for extended beyond the activity time. And it's just amazing to see them come out of themselves and their confidence as well. A new one that I put forward for this particular was Movie Magic. So we don't have any technology in our clubs. It is very much taking it back to the basics and the skills with the children Moving magic just encompassing a away. Whatever popular films are out that the kids are loving, we can plan activities around it. So for this year it was the Minions, it was Paddington, Inside out and we could talk about emotions with Inside out with the Minions. Obviously there's loads of great things we can do with them, especially with bananas. And then even just looking back, we had a, photo booth where they could glam up and pretend they were Hollywood stars. I haven't got a specific favourite because there's so much that we can do with each of them. And I think again, it's about the children because as an adult we've got a perception of an activity but actually we're not doing it. It's not what we think is very much about them and their holiday.

I was going to ask you how you ensure that activities are both fun and engaging but I can't see that any child is going to be bored. But how do you deal with one child that isn't really into what everyone else wants to do?

Oh, absolutely. And we do have that Sometimes they get to an age, especially around seven, where they do sports a lot around schools and for them it's really important for them to be able to go to a sports camp because that's where their energies at. Although we do a bit of sports, it's not really our most popular because obviously we only touch it slightly. They could go to a football camp and just do football. It's again, it's just feedback from the children. We ask them throughout the day if they're not excited by what they imagine the activity to be. And not everybody is going to like every activity we do every day, but it's what we can take out of that. The feedback, ensuring that the child's safe. What alternatives can we put on the day as well and encourage them to at least try it? Because, it used to be quite funny that if yoga was on all the boys, now I'm not doing yoga and mindfulness. And then when they saw it, because it was a themed yoga session around Star Wars or Harry Potter or something, actually they really enjoyed it. So it's just in creating that environment, it's really important for us to listen to the children and especially for the older ones. A lot of people struggle with 7- to 12-year-olds, but from my experience of working at Euro Camp as well, we had split the ages. So it is about finding out what's exciting for them, getting their feedback and, making sure that we do very different activities for the three to fours s, the five to sevens, the seven to 12. So they are interested, they are taking it to that next level as well. We also look at what they do within the schools so we're on level with their experiences. Sometimes we get it wrong and sometimes we absolutely get it right. It'but this is where we're very quick to learn and improve and just, make sure it's for everybody that comes in.

As long as the child that you have in your care is having fun and is safe, that is the primary concern.

Yeah, 100%. And that's exactly what we thrive on with our quality and our safety, at all of our Fun Fest clubs.

How do you connect with the local community? Does Fun Fest  have a particular role with supporting local families?

So we're collectively known as Fun Fest Cheshire Cheadle in Stockport because we have the six clubs that cover the area. And as a franchisee, we get our own territories. We're moving into Cheshire east very excitingly as well this year, so we will be looking out for new venues to support parents in the area. Within the community, we've sponsored football teams. I'm, a rescue cat owner, so we've actually sponsored a calendar where one of our rescue cats came from as a business tool, we offer free entertainment and craft areas at local events and fairs and especially for our host schools, we're always supporting with their pta, we offer raffle prizes of free childcare. So we're really involved within the community and I myself, and I'm out and about networking and talking to people. Always look for different opportunities in how we can support people, because for us, it's very much about ensuring the children are getting the experiences and having the chance to be children. Especially on the back of the past few years, we can see it's really important and to take some of that pressure off the parents as well. You can see what kids have been to Holiday Club because they've kept that routine up, especially over the six weeks of summer, and it just gives the parents confidence to know that if they have to go and work, that they haven't got the guilt chip or anything, that their children are being supported as much as they would do as well. So we plan to do a lot more this year of supporting within the community as well. So we're just looking out for those opportunities. So if there is anybody out there who does want a craft area or want to get in touch with us on how we can do anything, we've very much got the door open in the local area.

Have there been any memorable moments or success stories from the club that stand out to you?

I mean, we have children come in from the age of three and stay with us all those years. And obviously seeing them grow up and become successful youngsters, if they're thriving, whether it's in school or their own success stories, it's brilliant to hear and see a child, even if they've been with us just for a week, of how we can make a difference working with a parent, with them as well. For me, on a staffing level, I've had five members of staff now celebrated being with me for five years. So for me, as an employer, as a leader, that's really like my crowning proud moment. Because one of the reasons I got into this was to help develop my own staff team. And a lot of them do work their way up from play worker to play leader to management. And this is really important. This is my goal, personal. If I support my management team, they in turn, we will support our seasonal workers, who in turn will ensure that the kids have a great time. To have staff members reach that milestone, it just. Yeah, that's. That's a really crowning moment for me as well.

How do you maintain a safe and nurturing environment for the children when they're with you?

It's all down to my staff team. We do a safer recruitment. We advertise for staff all year round and with us investing in them both, making sure they're paid well, we offer free children's places for any staff that work for us as well. So that's not a hindrance for them. And if we invest well in our staff team, they in turn enjoy their job and they're supporting the children. And we also make sure we have a mix of capability. So whether it's youngsters, 17 year olds, are coming in, it's their first ever job supporting them within the work environment to we have teachers and TAs that work term time and they just want a couple of days to break it up. Whether their own children have grown up or they're looking for that extra income. We've got a mix of qualifications and skill sets that really bring the team together and this is where they can really pull on to supporting the children on site. We are known as one of the best clubs in all of the areas that we run for supporting children that need additional support in various ways. We always give any child an opportunity and a chance to come to us. Working together with parents, and trying to really bring out the best of a situation. So that is really accolade again to my staff team who can support those children that might not work in other settings. So that is a fantastic thing for us to be able to offer at Fun Fest .

What was it that inspired you to get involved with Fun Fest Holiday club?

So I had worked in holiday clubs previously and it was Sarah, who's the managing director of Fun Fest . When I spoke to her I very much believed in her vision, her ambition. Because at the time there was only a few holiday clubs and they mainly in the Midlands and moving down south there wasn't really anything set up in the north. There was a couple of clubs that were run by one of the directors and I believed in the brand. It's a very vibrant, fresh and fun brand and the fact that it was all centred around the children that was really, really important for me. Because a lot of places it's always what the adult wants, it's always what the adult thinks, it's always the adults opinion. And even now when they're booking the activities, the child should be sat with an adult saying what they'd like to do. But we still give that opportunity for them to change their mind on the day because sometimes they'll see their friends or not what they expected. And it's really important for us that we stick to what Fun Fest  is and having the children at the centre of everything that we do. And for me then straight behind that is the staff as well. So they're the most two important parts that really inspire me to stay with Fun Fest  to help it grow. We now have six clubs, we own three territories. We will be looking to open a couple more. We've closed a couple of clubs over the time that we've been running for six years because it's all due to parent demand. Who needs us? Who doesn't? Some places work, some places don't. As a franchisee, I am the largest franchisee. I'm very proud to go out and talk about the Fun Fest name. I've been extremely lucky 2024 that we swept the awards band for what we've done in previous years, whether it's sporting fellow franchisees, the community, our, clubs, our expansion. We have over 200,000 childcare spaces a year available, so I think we won nine awards last year. But to me, to be labelled as entrepreneur, disruptive, franchisee, trailblazer, those are words that really resonate with me because one of the reasons that I'm with Fun Fest and a franchise is because I can't be in a corporate box. I've worked for other people for so long, I can see alternative ways to do things. I do very much embrace change and unfortunately, not all places work like that. So it was very clear I needed to work for myself, but at the same time build up my own business acumen to enable to do that. I can stand here confidently now and say, I am a director of fun. I am a businesswoman, and every day is a learning. Every day I surround myself by the right people who can support me on my journey. You know, I'm never going to think I know everything. By all means, nowhere there yet. But after six years, I'm confident to say, yeah, I'm a director of my own business. and we make sure that we stay, like I say, on track. And the children and the parents and the staff remain at the centre of everything we do.

For any parents who might be considering Fun Fest for their child during the holidays, what's the one thing you'd like them to know?

Your children will be safe. They will have the best time, they will make friends and we will support you with anything that you need and.

They won't want to come home.

And it helps because we are one of the few that do pay as you go as well. So literally, if they're unsure, especially for shift workers or anything or something happens, we are there, they can book on the day and also we can support with payment plans if I needed, because especially with summer, it's a lot to ask in and around that. So then Just generally speak to the parents. Ask, ask a review. You know, look on our socials, see what's out there. You know, at the end of the day, our parents are our biggest advocates. If they're enjoying it, don't take my word for it. I think we're brilliant. But obviously I would say that. So, you know it's our parents that. That make our clubs what they are and make them successful. So, yeah, please, parents, choose Fun Fest as you childcare of choice.

It speaks for itself. Having children that have been with you since the very beginning and I've gone all the way through that age bracket, only come to you. That's testament enough.

Oh, yeah, 100%. And this is where we are flexible. If we do get feedback at any point or any ideas, we're straight away implementing and putting them in.

How would a parent find Fun Fest on social media?

So we have a website which is centralised. It's Fun Fest .co.uk now, this covers all the franchisees across the country. So There is over 40 clubs, but I currently just do the ones in Cheshire, Cheadle, and Stockport. So if you'd like to come to me, I do have fellow franchisees in Altrincham there as a club, and also in Stockport, Oldham and in Lancashire, Preston and Chorley. So we work extremely well together because there's only four of us up in the north, so we're like comrades in arms up on this side. We thrash ideas about. If you're looking for us on socials, we do try and keep the clubs very separate. So if you're going to Cheadle Bolshaw, for example, you'd go to Fun Fest Cheadle Bolshaw, Instagram and, Facebook. If you're going to Hartford, it's Fun Fest Hartford. So if you look for your particular club that's nearest to you, follow that page. We upload photos of what goes on in the sessions, important announcements. Obviously, it's more just for the people that go for that club, so we don't share it for far and wide. It's very much there for the parents to come and see us. I also have a social media which is called, Helens Hub, where you can just find out generally what's going on, at all the clubs and also with my other businesses and things that we do. Any awards that come along or any community events or any networking or any businesses that helping support us because it's a more centralised place for people to connect. So there's probably more exciting things that are coming, as 2025 progresses as well. So do keep an eye, eye in an air out and we'll let you know as soon as we know.

2024 was a very successful year for you with all the awards that you received. Do you have anything else planned for 2025?

Because with the holiday clubs it's brilliant, but it's 72 days a year operational. I now have a core team of four people who work, I say full time, so the priorities, the holidays, but then they do admin during the term time as well. And we have now bought into a new venture which is called Gootopia. It's a second franchise, and we are the second franchisee bringing a slime experience to the northwest. So we can go to schools and we go to people's homes, we can do parties, we can do a science led curriculum around slime and it's literally hashtag slime of our life. It's totally awesome. It makes sure that their kids are having just a superb time. We'll be very community based. We'll be looking at offering toddler sessions, se schools unable to come to us, networking events, team building, student nights, slime and wine and obviously supporting party days. But we can be mobile. So keep an eye out. It's Gootopia and it's going to be very, very exciting.

Making a little empire here, aren't you?

Is the norm these days that people actually have multiple sources of income. And I think that it's really important to keep people motivated as they get older to embrace a different skill set that we have going along in life. Like I trained as a technical theatre. I was going into the West End to make all the costumes have sequins for musicals to think now I own holiday clubs and work with slime. It's actually crazy to ever think that this is where the road would have ever gone. But I've always embraced different challenges and different roles and always willing to learn. So even now I'm doing multiple courses to build my knowledge, to build in the areas that I'm not so sure on. And I think it helps as you get older to a keep motivated, to keep things exciting and also just help keep your brain going and physically, you know, having something that you really enjoy.

There's nothing worse than having a job that you don't enjoy.

No. And not everybody has that opportunity to try all different things. So I feel very privileged that I have had that opportunity back in 24, did have a life changing operation which has completely changed the course of where our future is going. It was a full hysterectomy. We won't be having children, but this is where we've gone, right. Our actual end goal couple of years. We're looking to move to Spain and actually manage all these businesses from there. What we can do, we've got amazing team that are in place that can support on the ground running and what we can give back to the community and what we'll be doing for the future.

Thank you so much for your time today, Helen. It's really exciting. I can't wait to get booked onto one of your slime and wine nights.

No, I look forward to seeing you. And, yeah, no, it's been absolutely brilliant and I love doing things for the local community, so it's been a pleasure to spend the time with you.

Thank you.